Yoenis Cespedes powers the Mets to an NL East title, but is unlikely to return to New York. (Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)

Free-agent season begins on Saturday and while there are some big names on the market, it doesn't appear as if they'll be coming to New York.

In the Mets' case, in fact, more will be leaving if neither Daniel Murphy nor Yoenis Cespedes is re-signed, as seems likely. That could change if the market for either one fails to materialize as expected, but how often does that happen in an era when even small-market teams have money to spend?

Indeed, how could the Mets justify not spending after reaching the World Series? But with Michael Conforto ready to take over in left field and perhaps Dilson Herrera at second, as well as Sandy Alderson's aversion to long-term contracts, they're more likely to do it with lower-profile moves.

So maybe they sign Darren O'Day for the bullpen, Colby Rasmus as a lefthanded-hitting platoon partner for Juan Lagares in center, and continue to search for an upgrade at shortstop.

As for the Yankees, all last winter everyone was sure they were going to jump in and sign Max Scherzer, but with prospects finally blossoming, they're committed to avoiding mega-contracts at least until they can get out from under some of their current ones.

Maybe they'll be in play for starting pitching depth, perhaps someone like Doug Fister or J.A. Happ, who finished the season so strongly for the Pirates. And certainly Ben Zobrist would be a good fit as a man of many positions who killed lefthanded pitching last season.

But the big splashes are likely to be made elsewhere. So here's my list of the Top 10 most intriguing free agents, and predictions as to where they'll sign.

He's 32 and opted out of final three years and $71 million with Dodgers. Coming off a season in which he posted a 1.66 ERA, the best in the majors in 20 years, and baseball people predict Greinke will age well because he's very athletic and relies on deception and precision, somewhat like Greg Maddux. After struggling in the postseason early in his career, he has a 2.37 ERA in six October starts for the Dodgers in last three years.

Prediction: Dodgers aren't going to be outbid; they fend off Giants, re-sign Greinke for six years, $186 million.

David Price

His postseason failures are troubling but probably won't affect his market after a spectacular season at age 30. He and Greinke are 1 and 1A among available pitchers, and because he was traded during the season, he won't cost the team that signs him a draft pick.

Prediction: Much as the Blue Jays need him, doubt they'll pay what it takes to keep him. Cubs know they might be one elite starter away from a championship, and they re-unite Price with Joe Maddon for seven years, $210 million.

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Jordan Zimmermann

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Not on the same level as Greinke or Price, but at age 29, Zimmermann has been a durable, front-end-of-rotation starter for four straight years for the Nationals. Doesn't have big strikeout numbers but doesn't walk hitters, gets ground balls.

Prediction: Once the Nats signed Scherzer last winter. Zimmermann was a goner. Giants pair him with Madison Bumgarner for six years, $144 million.

How much will teams pay for power? Davis, the Orioles' 29-year-old first baseman who hit 47 home runs last season, but struck out 208 times, makes for quite a test case. Hit 53 two years ago, but had puzzling off-year in 2014 when he hit .196 with 26 HRs.

Prediction: A Scott Boras client, so it could take while, but he fits Astros all-or-nothing offense, would make their lineup scary: six years, $120 million.

Yoenis Cespedes

His streaky nature, on full display with the Mets, makes him a gamble at huge money. He carried them offensively for six weeks, then mostly disappeared all the way through the postseason. Chases pitches, doesn't walk; still, 35 HRs, 83 extra-base hits, and an .870 OPS? Somebody will pay him.

Prediction: With few big-market clubs in need of corner outfielders, the Tigers dig deep to bring him back to Detroit: six years, $132 million.

Justin Upton

Righthanded power is perhaps the industry's most precious commodity these days, but Upton can be even streakier than Cespedes, and not as athletic. Hit 26 HRs last year, only a .790 OPS. He's still only 28 but has never quite lived up to perceived potential.

Prediction: After losing Davis and Matt Wieters, the Orioles need to make a splash, put Upton in HR-friendly Camden Yards for five years, $85 million.

Daniel Murphy

Baseball people polled don't think Murphy's HR splurge in the postseason changed his value dramatically, especially as his World Series was a reminder of his flaws. But his Royals-like ability to make contact (38 K's all season) is timely.

Prediction: He makes a lot of sense for the Angels, whether at third base or second, and maybe some DH too. Four years, $50 million.

Jason Heyward

He has never lived up to the hype on the superstar level, but he put up solid offensive numbers for the Cardinals, and ranks among the best defensive outfielders in the game. He's also only 26, which makes him more attractive.

He wasn't the ace the Royals thought they were getting at the trade deadline, but he delivered a couple of strong starts in the postseason, especially against the Mets. And because he was traded, he won't have a draft pick attached to him.

Prediction: The Blue Jays will need a top-flight pitcher after losing Price, and short of trading one of their sluggers, Cueto might be their best option. Five years, $110 million.

Ben Zobrist

A trade-deadline pick-up from the A's, Zobrist was vital to the Royals' championship, first filling in for injured Alex Gordon in left field, then taking over at second base. He had a strong postseason with 10 extra-base hits and impressed scouts with a lot of hard contact against top pitching.

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Prediction: Yes, he'll be 35 next May, but as a switch-hitter who can play several positions — primarily second base — he's a great fit for the Yankees. Zobrist hit .329 with a .926 OPS against lefthanded pitching, which was a major weakness for the Yankees late in the season. They'll overpay to shorten the length of the deal: three years, $51 million.

In a thin bullpen market, O'Day will be highly-sought but the righthanded submariner would be an ideal set-up man for Jeurys Familia. He had a 1.52 ERA for the Orioles last season with 82 strikeouts in 65.1 innings. His highest ERA in his four years in Baltimore was 2.28.

Ryan Madson

Had a shaky postseason for the Royals but quite a bounce-back season after three years of elbow problems. At age 35 had a 2.13 ERA and a 0.963 WHIP. Great changeup makes him tough against lefties, who hit .205 against him.

Joe Blanton

Traded by the Royals at the deadline, the 35-year-old former starter was a revelation as a reliever for the Pirates, going 5-0 with a 1.57 ERA in 21 games. Might be worth a shot.

Colby Rasmus

If Mets don't re-sign Cespedes, they'll need a lefthanded-hitting CF to platoon with Juan Lagares. Rasmus has never lived up to first-round draft choice potential, but hit 25 home runs for the Astros, plus four in the postseason.

Gerardo Parra

Another lefty hitter who can play CF, Parra was on the Mets' radar in July while having a strong first half with the Brewers − he hit .328 with an .886 OPS over 100 games. Flopped after being traded to the Orioles, hitting only .237, but at age 28 could be worth signing.

Maybe it was just a hot streak, but the 33-year-old lefty pitched brilliantly for the Pirates after coming over in a trade with the Mariners. He was 7-1 with a 1.85 ERA over 11 starts.

Doug Fister

Only a year ago he was 16-6 with a 2.41 ERA for the Nationals, and at least some scouts think he'll have a bounce-back after going 5-7 with a 4.19 ERA in 2015. "He seemed to lose the feel for his change-up,'' one scout said, "but if that comes back he could be a bargain.''

Jeff Samardzija

No one seems to know what his market will be after he went 11-13 with a 4.96 ERA with the White Sox. A year ago was thought of as an elite starter but baseball people are questioning that now.

Wei-Yin Chen

The 30-year old lefty is a solid No. 3-4 type starter who put in four solid seasons with the Orioles, pitching to a 3.72 ERA.

Marco Estrada

A changeup specialist, the 32-year old RHP had a strong season for the Blue Jays, going 13-8 with a 3.13 ERA, and obviously knows his way around the AL East.